FCC Consumer Complaints – 18 August 2017
Introduction
On Friday, 18 August 2017, 1363 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded in the Federal Communications Commission system, complaint volume fell from 1453 complaints the day before. Complaints were reported across 51 states and territories, with California slightly ahead of the other locations. The largest number of complaints related to Unwanted Calls, with 960 complaints.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 1363
- States & territories reporting
- 51
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (960)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (141)
Where the complaints came from
The 1363 complaints recorded on 18 August 2017 originated from 879 cities across 51 states and territories. Complaint activity was fairly evenly distributed, with no single state or territory accounting for a large share of reports. This pattern continues at the city level, where complaints were distributed across multiple locations without a single city standing out.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 141 | 10.3% |
| Florida | 109 | 8.0% |
| New York | 88 | 6.5% |
| Texas | 88 | 6.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 66 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | 62 | 4.5% |
| Illinois | 61 | 4.5% |
| Georgia | 52 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 50 | 3.7% |
| Ohio | 50 | 3.7% |
| Other states and territories | 592 | 43.4% |
What the complaints were about
Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 1135 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 1135 | 83.3% |
| Internet | 109 | 8.0% |
| TV | 93 | 6.8% |
| Radio | 18 | 1.3% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.4% |
| Request for Dispute Assistance | 3 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
1135 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 83.3% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 960 | 84.6% |
| Billing | 62 | 5.5% |
| Equipment | 33 | 2.9% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 26 | 2.3% |
| Privacy | 18 | 1.6% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 14 | 1.2% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 9 | 0.8% |
| Junk Faxes | 6 | 0.5% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 5 | 0.4% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.2% |
As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).
Internet complaints
109 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 42 | 38.5% |
| Speed | 22 | 20.2% |
| Availability | 19 | 17.4% |
| Equipment | 8 | 7.3% |
| Open Internet/Net Neutrality | 8 | 7.3% |
| Interference | 6 | 5.5% |
| Privacy | 4 | 3.7% |
Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.
TV complaints
93 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 6.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 47 | 50.5% |
| Availability | 15 | 16.1% |
| Equipment | 12 | 12.9% |
| Interference | 8 | 8.6% |
| Indecency | 4 | 4.3% |
| Loud Commercials | 4 | 4.3% |
| Privacy | 3 | 3.2% |
Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.
The information presented on this page is based on consumer complaint data submitted to regulatory authorities. References to telephone numbers reflect reports made by consumers and do not confirm ownership, authenticity, or that the number was genuinely associated with the call. Caller ID information may be inaccurate or subject to spoofing.
Complaint categories, dates and complainant locations are based on the source records and may contain incomplete, approximate or user-entered information. Location details refer to the complainant’s reported location, not the location of the caller or telephone number. This content is provided for informational purposes only.